Edinburgh Rugby in hunt for new coaches as Sean Everitt explains 'difficult decision'

Assistant coaches Rob Chrystie and Michael Todd will both leave the club at the end of the season and there are also changes planned to the medical and strength and conditioning departments. Mark Robertson, the club’s head of strength and conditioning, will also depart.

Edinburgh are currently languishing in 13th place in the 16-team United Rugby Championship having lost seven of their 10 league games.

Their target at the start of the season was the top four but they will now struggle to finish in the top eight which is required to make the play-offs.

Talks ongoing with other assistant coaches

Despite the results, Everitt was awarded a contract extension in January which ties him to Edinburgh until the end of the 2027-28 season. But the club have recognised the need for change and said they were “in the process of initiating an extensive global search for new Assistant Coach candidates, across a range of specialisms, to bring fresh knowledge and experience to the capital side”.

While Chrystie and Todd will both go, Edinburgh would like their two other assistant coaches, Stevie Lawrie and Scott Mathie to remain. Both are out of contract at the end of the season and talks are taking place about new deals.

“I have taken the difficult decision to refresh our coaching and performance groups in order to take this club in a new direction, with renewed energy, expertise and fresh voices,” said Everitt in a statement released by Edinburgh. “We’re taking this step now to ensure we have the foundations in place to thrive and succeed.

“I would like to sincerely thank Rob and Michael, as well as those moving on from our medical and strength and conditioning departments. They have all served the club well and leave with our very best wishes.”

Douglas Struth, Edinburgh Rugby’s managing director, added: “We fully support Sean in these changes to the club’s coaching and performance areas. We are excited to see how he can move the club forward with a new-look coaching group around him in 2026/27.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, I want to thank those leaving for their hard work and dedication; they have been valued colleagues and move on with our gratitude.”

Chrystie, who initially joined Edinburgh as an academy coach, has played an important role in the development of several of the club’s younger players. He was named attack and backs coach in 2023-24 and was most recently moved into the areas of skills and off-the-ball work.

Todd arrived at Edinburgh in 2022 from Queensland Reds Todd and this is his fourth season in charge of the club’s defence.

Edinburgh don’t play again until February 27 when they host Scarlets in the URC. They are through to the round of 16 in the Investec Champions Cup and will face Leinster in Dublin on Easter Sunday.